News

University of West London romps away with Zest Quest Asia 2018 Crown

Press release for immediate release

From Zest Quest
Asia

February 2018

University of
West London romps away with Zest Quest Asia 2018 Crown

(London, 13th February 2018) University of
West London are the new Zest Quest Asia champions. Their triumph was announced last night before
an audience of 300 representatives from industry and education at a Gala Dinner
and Awards ceremony held at the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5
(Hilton T5).

Matthew Dibb-Fuller, Matthew Williams, Michael
Scholz and their tutor, Nathan Vasanthan, win a trip of a lifetime; a seven-day
culinary and cultural journey to Hanoi, one of the world’s ancient capitals.They will be staying at the Hilton Hanoi
Opera, who have planned an amazing itinerary for them.

University
of West London triumphed over Colchester Institute, North Hertfordshire
College, Sheffield Hallam University, The Sheffield College, and Westminster
Kingsway College in a final cook-off held earlier in the day at Mr Todiwala’s
Kitchen, Hilton T5’s signature restaurant. Judges were won over by their Sri Lankan-inspired
menu consisting of Authentic Lamb Rolls with Bramley Apple Ketchup and a Spicy
Watercress and Lime Dressing, Nose to Tail of Poussin with Jaffna Style Sauce,
Cardamom Leaves Crusted Lamb, Tilda Basmati and Wild Rice – Seeni Sambol,
Pickled Aubergine, Spiced Poussin Scotch Eggs (Quail Egg), Roasted Stuffed
Chilli, Kithul Honey and Lime Glazed Lollipop, and Sri Lankan inspired Pear
Tart Tatin with Ceylon Tea Infused Pear and Coconut Sorbet. They also impressed the judges during a
presentation designed to give an insight into and demonstrate their knowledge
of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Other awardees on the night were:

•Glengoyne’s
Dish of the Day Award – University of West London

•Chefi’s
Least Food Wasted Award – Sheffield Hallam University

•Tilda’s
Award for Best use of Rice – The Sheffield College

•Regale’s
Award for Best Presented Menu – Sheffield Hallam University

•The
Koppertcress Award for Best Use of Living Ingredient– Colchester Institute

Zest
Quest Asia was founded in 2013 by Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala, with the support
of The Master Chefs of Great Britain, to address the gaps in skills and
knowledge of classical Asian cuisine and to stimulate interest in Asian cookery
as a viable, long-term career.

Now in its fifth year, there is every
indication that the competition has found its firm supporters in the
hospitality industry as well as the wider business community.Guest speaker Andrew Wong, Chef Patron of
Michelin-starred restaurant, A.Wong, cited the many myths behind Chinese
cuisine, while Sir David Brewer KG CMG CVO JP, former Lord Lieutenant of
London, led grace before the 4-course dinner prepared by Cyrus Todiwala and his
team.

This year too, Emmy-nominated TV chef Ching
He Huang joined the panel of judges comprising Chairman of Judges, Andrew
Bennett, Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala of Café Spice Namaste, Steve Munkley of the Royal
Garden Hotel, Clive Roberts of Master Chefs of Great Britain, and Murray
Chapman of Passion to Inspire. The evening
was emceed by Andrew Merrett, Marketing and Communications Director of leading
hospitality and catering company CH&Co Group.

Ken
Hom OBE, the American chef, author and TV presenter, in a message sent to the
Todiwalas before the Gala Dinner, said “Although I am unable to be at the 2018
Zest Quest Asia Gala Dinner and Awards, I would like to wish Chef Cyrus
Todiwala and everyone much success with the evening.As an advocate for Asian foods, I am also
delighted to see that Asian cuisine is now part of the DNA of British food
culture.”

Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL said, “I am touched and
truly overwhelmed by the support that our friends in industry and beyond have
shown to Zest Quest Asia this year. We
cannot thank them enough. What’s more,
my fellow judges and I have been more impressed than ever at the standard and
drive of the competitors. Zest Quest
Asia, which is rigorous to begin with, seems to attract those who want to win
something big, and there are few things that are more important to our industry
today than the future of Asian cuisine. Congratulations
to University of West London and all the other winners and participants.”